Apple is pushing back hard against an ongoing antitrust investigation in India. In a recent legal filing, the company claims that local regulators failed to do their own homework. Instead of running an independent review, the tech giant argues that investigators simply copied and pasted complaints directly from its business rivals.
Now, the company is asking officials to throw out the entire case, stating the findings do not reflect reality. This bold move comes just before a major closed-door hearing scheduled for late July.
Investigators allegedly copied competitor claims without verifying the facts
In a submission on June 25, the company presented detailed tables to prove its point. It showed that the Competition Commission of India lifted statements word-for-word from competitors like Match Group, PhonePe, and Paytm.
The tech brand pointed out that investigators made no real effort to check these claims. It also noted that the official report blindly reused a graphic from a European Union ruling from 2024, even though the Indian market operates very differently.
The company argues it holds less than a six percent share of the smartphone market in the country. Because it is such a small player, it believes the unfair findings should be completely tossed out.
The company is fighting back to protect its core business model
The maker of the iPhone warns that forcing changes to its digital storefront would harm its business. It claims that altering the App Store rules could hurt future investments in the local digital economy.
This clash is just the latest step in a long legal battle. The company recently agreed to share its local financial data after a long delay, which regulators had previously criticized. Now, Apple challenges India CCI authority in escalating an antitrust dispute by questioning how the entire probe was handled from the start.
A private hearing is set for July 21, where both sides will present their arguments. The final decision will show if the regulator accepts this plagiarism claim or moves forward with potential fines.
